Reviewed by Stuart O'Connor
Stars Marilyn Burns, Gunnar Hansen, Allen Danziger, Paul Partain, William Vail, Teri McMinn,
Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, John Dugan, Robert Courtin | Written by Kim Henkel & Tobe Hooper
UK certification 18 | UK RRP £19.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 80 minutes | Directed by Tobe Hooper
Ah, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Probably the nastiest of all the so-called "video nasties" that were banned in the 1980s (although several countries also banned it when it was first released, including Australia and England). It's the film that probably kicked off the splatter genre. It's one of the most impressive horror films ever made — especially when you consider that it was made for almost nothing by first-time filmmaker Tobe Hooper.
Allegedly based on a true story (it wasn't, although it was loosely based on real-life serial killer Ed Gein), The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of those films that you probably grew up hearing about, but never got around to actually seeing. It opens with five young people (one in a wheelchair) driving through an isolated area of Texas in a camper van. In need of fuel, they find themselves at a seemingly abandoned farmhouse. What then ensues has gone down in horror film history. Yeah, there's a lot more to the plot than that, but if you've never seen this film before, that's all you need to know going in. Actually, the less you know, the more you'll enjoy it. It's certainly not as gory as you'd expect, especially in these days of films like Saw and Hostel. But a real sense of evil pervades the whole film, especially when the chainsaw-wielding maniac Leatherface makes his appearance. It's certainly not to everyone's taste, but as a film that has been much imitated, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is not to be missed if you're in any way fond of horror films.
EXTRAS ***** This is where this new release really comes into its own. Three discs means lots and lots of bonus goodies. For a start, the discs come in a steel case. The film itself has been remastered from a new high-definition transfer, and there are new 5.1, 2.0 and remastered original mono audio mixes. There's an audio commentary with Hooper, cinematographer Daniel Pearl and actor Gunnar Hansen, and a second commentary with actors Marilyn Burns, Paul Partain, Allen Danziger and art director Robert Burns. There is a new documentary, called The Shocking Truth, and another documentary called Flesh Wounds. Plus a tour of the TCSM house with Leatherface himself, Gunnar Hansen. Plus interviews with Hooper and co-writer Kim Henkel, and an interview with actor Teri McMinn. And there are also deleted scenes, outtakes, alternative footage, TV spots, trailers and a stills, posters and lobby cards gallery. This really IS an ultimate edition.